EVA Air Launches Direct Flights to Washington D.C., Marking First Non-Stop Service Between Taiwan and U.S. Capital

TAOYUAN (CNA) — EVA Air has officially launched a new non-stop route between Taipei and Washington D.C., marking the first time a Taiwanese carrier has connected the two capitals. EVA Air Chairman Lin Pao-shui stated that Washington D.C. is the airline's 10th passenger destination in North America, bringing its total weekly flights to the region to 98, the highest among all Taiwanese carriers.

The inaugural ceremony at Taoyuan International Airport was attended by AIT Director Raymond Greene, Civil Aeronautics Administration Director-General Ho Shu-ping, Taoyuan Airport Corporation Chairman Yang Wei-fuh, and representatives from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Destination DC.

Chairman Lin noted that the airline's North American network now connects over 200 cities through partnerships with Star Alliance members and other carriers. This expansion allows North American travelers to easily transfer to major Asian cities, reinforcing EVA Air’s competitive position in the trans-Pacific market.

EVA Air reported high load factors for the new route, with the first three flights fully booked and July reservations reaching 90%. The carrier intends to increase flight frequency in the future, while leveraging the route to integrate cargo operations with hubs in New York and Atlanta.

AIT Director Raymond Greene highlighted that the addition of Washington Dulles International Airport brings the number of U.S. gateways with direct Taiwan flights to 11. He noted that EVA Air operates nearly half of the 171 weekly direct flights between the two sides, reflecting strong bilateral economic and people-to-people ties.

The route is serviced by Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring a three-class configuration, including the carrier's latest fourth-generation premium economy class.